Nov. 20, 2014, marks the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout (GASO). The awareness event is a day on which smokers are encouraged to quit, or use to make a plan to quit. Nearly 1 in 5 adult Americans smoke cigarettes, in addition to the 13.4 million cigar smokers and 2.3 million pipe tobacco users.

The GASO challenges people to stop using tobacco and raises awareness about the tools and resources available to help them quit. The health benefits of quitting start immediately from the moment of smoking cessation, and quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke.

The end of the year also inspires New Year’s resolutions that often include tobacco cessation. November through January is an opportunity for local health departments (LHDs) and community organizations to promote use of cessation services such as quit lines, counseling programs, and medication therapies. A number of resources are available to help LHDs in this goal, including:

NACCHO Resources:

• Tobacco Resources
• Policy Statements
• NACCHO Toolbox

American Cancer Society:

• Great American Smokeout 2014

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources:

• Smoking and Tobacco Use web page and messaging materials
  
• Tips from Former Smokers media campaign
• Media Campaign Resource Center
• Smoking and Tobacco Use YouTube playlist

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Surgeon General’s Office:

• 2014 Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health messaging material